ITEM 128-1002-R0705 Approval
of a new Paleontology Center and Field Station; The University of
Montana-Missoula

THAT: In
accordance with Montana University System Policy, the Board of Regents of
Higher Education authorizes The University of Montana-Missoula to create a
University of Montana Paleontology Center and a Fort Peck Field Station.

EXPLANATION: Establishment
of this Center will strengthen paleontology research and education in the
Inland Empire region and the State of Montana, given the variety of fossil
groups in the UM collection. Specifically, it will expand the teaching in
paleontology and the research and teaching opportunities based on the
collections of fossils. Within the present UM paleontology facility, there is a
fossil preparation lab and a world-class research collection. Holdings represent the fossil heritage of
the State of Montana as well as other places in North America and the
world. The facility attracts
researchers from the U.S. and abroad.
The facility was started in 1895 with a grant from the Smithsonian
Institution. Research publications
based on the collection started in 1899 and, to date, the bibliography list
includes nearly 300 scientific papers that are based on the fossil holdings. The current collection has over 100,000
specimens of vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants (includes 1000
type-specimens either illustrated or representing a new taxon).

There are four primary objectives associated with creation of
UMPC: 1. To give State, national and international recognition to this
unit of The University of Montana, which has contributed to world-wide
education and science for so many years; 2.
to expand the educational and research components of the Montana
University System; 3. to have a recognizable and specifically
designated “Center” for bringing funds to the University (grants, contracts,
donations, etc.) and for attracting students (both traditional and
non-traditional) and visiting scholars; and 4.
to provide an administrative unit for the Fort Peck Field Station, which
will be created in the Glasgow Region of Montana.